At the recent Rivals Miami Elite Camp at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, perhaps the most talented group of signal callers gathered for a day of showcasing talent. When the event finished, Merritt Island’s Kevin Verpaele was named as the MVP.
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>FORT LAUDERDALE – </strong>There was a time when you recruited the quarterback position, the state of Florida was not the priority.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>With places such as California and Texas leading the way, the Sunshine State wad always looked at as a place where athletes would play the position – and while there were several who were recruited, the majority of top prospect didn't come from Florida. But that has all changed!</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>For much of this past decade, we have watched several quarterbacks from throughout this state get plenty of attention – and with the recent selection of Indiana's <strong>Fernando Mendoza </strong>(Miami Christopher Columbus), there is now a validation at the position.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>At the recent <strong><em>Rivals Miami Elite Camp</em></strong> at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, perhaps the most talented group of signal callers gathered for a day of showcasing talent.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>When the event finished, Merritt Island's <strong>Kevin Verpaele</strong> was named as the MVP.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The 6'0, 200-pounder, heading to the University of Pittsburgh has been the talk of the off-season after a stellar junior season for the Mustangs.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>He is coming off a year where he threw for 2,714 yards and 27 touchdowns and added 597 yards and four touchdowns on the ground.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>TAPE:</strong> <a href="https://www.hudl.com/profile/20138189/Kevin-Verpaele"><strong>https://www.hudl.com/profile/20138189/Kevin-Verpaele</strong></a></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>VERPAELE WAS NOT ALONE ON SUNDAY</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>In any event where it comes down to making throws in shorts and a T-Shirt, there are so many contributing factors – especially when there are so many gifted prospects involved.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>While Verpaele took home the award, there were so many quarterbacks – in all classes – that turned heads during the two hours they tested, performed drills and competed in one-on-one events.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Among the other rising seniors (2027) from Florida who took part included USF commitment <strong>James Perrone</strong> (Fort Lauderdale Saint Thomas Aquinas), <strong>Dorian Fauntleroy</strong> (Jupiter Christian), <strong>Max Griner</strong> (Lantana Santaluces), <strong>Caden Osborn</strong> (Pensacola Booker T. Washington), <strong>Jack Spaeder</strong> (Davie Western), UCF commit <strong>Logan Flaherty</strong> (Port Charlotte), <strong>Jackson Stroud</strong> (Hollywood McArthur), <strong>Kai Moore</strong> (Miami Christopher), FIU commitment <strong>Zac Katz</strong> (Miami True North Classical Academy), <strong>Landon Dougherty</strong> (Tallahassee Godby), <strong>Myles McDonald</strong> (Tampa Carrollwood Day) and <strong>Cody Conness</strong> (Fort Lauderdale Saint Thomas Aquinas).</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>UNDERCLASSMEN SHOWED PLENTY OF PROMISE</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>As solid as the rising senior class was, there were some impressive rising juniors (2028) as well.</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>Players such as <strong>Brady Quinn</strong> (Hollywood Chaminade-Madonna), <strong>Andrew Chung</strong> (Winter Garden West Orange), <strong>Blake Calixte</strong> and <strong>Nate Merrell Jr.</strong> (Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas), <strong>Kreg Brown III</strong> (St. Petersburg Lakewood), <strong>Dontavious Kinchens</strong> (Miami Northwestern), <strong>Brycen Marbrey</strong> (Winter Park Lake Howell), <strong>Logan Escobedo</strong> (Plantation), <strong>Austan Cristiaan</strong> (Community School of Naples), <strong>Blake McCullough</strong> (Olando Bishop Moore), <strong>Dominick Sgambellone III</strong> (Naples First Baptist) and three-year varsity starter <strong>Jackson Stecher</strong> (Altamonte Springs Lake Brantley).</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>The Class of 2029 (rising sophomores) also featured <strong>Malik Leonard</strong> (Miami Carol City) and <strong>Nolan Downes</strong> (Bradenton Manatee).</p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>A LOOK AT THE MIAMI RIVALS EVENT:</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Rivals Miami: Defensive Linemen Rise To The Top. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-defensive-linemen-rise-to-the-top/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-defensive-linemen-rise-to-the-top/</a></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Rivals Miami: Offensive Linemen Were Impressive. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-offensive-linemen-impressed/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-offensive-linemen-impressed/</a></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Rivals Miami: Linebackers, Running Backs Were Talented. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-linebackers-r-backs-shine/">https://prepredzone.com/2026/02/rivals-miami-linebackers-r-backs-shine/</a></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>Statewide Coverage Daily. <a href="https://prepredzone.com/florida/">https://prepredzone.com/florida/</a></strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>You Can Contact Larry Blustein with prospect or team information at: Floridakids1@aol.com.</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p><strong>COACHES, PLAYERS: Do You Have A Subscription? Contact us for a savings code so you can see what everyone has been talking about! </strong><a><strong>Floridakids1@aol.com</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p></p>
<!-- /wp:paragraph -->
FORT LAUDERDALE – There was a time when you recruited the quarterback position, the state of Florida was not the priority.
With places such as California and Texas leading the way, the Sunshine State wad always looked at as a place where athletes would play the position – and while there were several who were recruited, the majority of top prospect didn't come from Florida. But that has all changed! For much of this past decade, we have watched several quarterbacks from throughout this state get plenty of attention – and with the recent selection of Indiana's Fernando Mendoza (Miami Christopher Columbus), there is now a validation at the position. At the recent Rivals Miami Elite Camp at St. Thomas Aquinas High School, perhaps the most talented group of signal callers gathered for a day of showcasing talent. When the event finished, Merritt Island's Kevin Verpaele was named as the MVP. The 6'0,…
